John Macleod, 39B Balallan

Private JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 39B Balallan,
Son of Roderick and Mary Macleod
Service unit: Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Date of birth: 10 April 1882
Date of death: 14 October 1916 at the age of 34
Killed in action
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay

John was one of the children of Roderick (1839) and Mary (1843), the others being Alexander (1879), Ann (1877), Catherine (1873), Donald (1870), Roderick (1876) and Roderick (1886).

His brother Alexander served in the Canadian Army Medical Corps and survived the war.

Stornoway Gazette A Hero's SacrificeDeepest sympathy was expressed throughout
the village to Mr Roderick Macleod, 39A Balallan, when it became known
that his son, Pte John Macleod A & S.H., had made the supreme
sacrifice somewhere on the Western front. Pte Macleod was one of the
model young men of the village of an inoffensive, retiring disposition,
and of him it could truly be said he had not a single enemy. Of an
intensely religious temperatment, the one absorbing passion of his life
was the church service, and the Communion season was always a time of
peculiar joy. He was never very robust and on that account might well
have claimed exemption, but when the call came "for King and country",
he went without a murmur. Those of use who knew him well, wondered how
such a shy delicate lad would endure the boisterous fullblooded life of
camp and field, but whatever he suffered, he made no sign. After his
period of training, he saw some months of streuous fighting in France,
and only a few weeks ago was home on leave. His sudden call, so soon
after his return to the Front, has been a shock to the community. But
our loss is his gain, and he has passed into the light, to the glorious
inheritance of the Saints. Our hearts and sympathies go out to the poor
old father who has had the evening of his days clouded by the loss of a
gallant son, and to the brothers and sisters who mourn a dearly-loved
brother.-P.C.